Shift key can also be used with a combination of other keys such as CTRL, ALT, ESC, and several others, so as to execute certain functions including highlighting text, open Task Manager, opening Sticky keys or Filter keys, among many others.

When you find Shift key not working on your keyboard, it could mean several things including foreign matter stuck on the keyboard, or sticky keys has been activated, driver or hardware issues.

The good news is there are solutions to fix the issue and get your SHIFT key working again.

Fix: Shift key won’t work

Check the keyboard for dust or foreign matter

Try a different or external keyboard

Check keyboard language settings in control panel

Check whether the sticky keys are turned on

Run Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

Perform a System Restore

Uninstall and reinstall the keyboard driver from manufacturer’s website

Boot in safe mode

Perform a Clean Boot

1. Check the keyboard for dust or foreign matter

Since the problem is the Shift key not working, but the rest are okay, then the key could be damaged.

Ensure the keyboard is free of dust, dirt or other foreign matter by turning the keyboard upside down to allow for any debris to fall out.

A recommended action is to periodically use compressed air to blow out dust from the crevices on your keyboard that are hard to clean. If you spilt a drink or another liquid, immediately turn the keyboard upside down to let it drain out and remove as much of it as you can, then wait till it is dry before using it again.

Don’t attempt to disassemble the keyboard as you may void the manufacturer warranty. And, if you want to use a vacuum cleaner, ensure it is a ‘static safe’ vacuum cleaner.

3. Check keyboard language settings in control panel

Sometimes when you find Shift key not working, it may have something to do with your Language settings.

Here’s how to check and change this:

Click Start

Select Settings

Click Time and Language

Click Region and Language

Under Country or Region, click on English (United Kingdom), and if not there, you can add it using Add a Language button

Click Windows display language

Select Options

Check what keyboard is selected under the Keyboards option

Change the input language to English for your location

Did this resolve the Shift key not working problem? If not, try the next solution.

4. Check whether the sticky keys are turned on

Active Filter, Toggle or Sticky keys can be the reason for Shift key not working on your computer.

Filter keys cause Windows to suppress or discard keystrokes sent too fast, or keystrokes sent simultaneously, for example when you type hurriedly or while shaking.

Sticky keys, on the other hand, cause modifier keys such as SHIFT and CTRL to stick until released, or till the specific keystroke combination is entered. In a sense they behave like Lock keys. Toggle keys cause Windows to emit a beep or audible indicator when any lock keys are pressed.

How to turn off Sticky/Filter/Toggle keys

To turn off Filter Keys do the following (Windows 10):

Click Start

Choose Settings

Select Ease of Access

Click Keyboard

Find Filter Keys

Slide it let to turn it off

To turn off Toggle or Sticky Keys do the following (Windows 10):

If you find Shift key not working while you type, you’ve probably enabled or activated Toggle keys, and/or Sticky keys. Do the following to disable or deactivate Toggle and Sticky keys on Windows 10:

Click Start

Choose Settings

Select Ease of Access

Click Keyboard

Find Toggle Keys

Slide it let to turn it off

Find Sticky Keys

Slide it let to turn it off

For more information on how to fix Sticky keys issues, check out the articles below:

7. Uninstall and reinstall the keyboard driver from manufacturer’s website

Here’s how to do this:

Right click Start

Select Device Manager

Search for Keyboards and click on it to expand the list

Right click on the Keyboard driver

Select Uninstall

Go to the Software and Drivers sub-section (depending on the laptop brand this name can change), or search for drivers using Google so you can get a direct link to your device’s manufacturer website.

Once you’re on the website, find and download

Install the appropriate drivers missing from your computer that can cause the Shift key not working problem.

Installing the wrong driver versions can cause permanent damage to your system. Thus, we strongly suggest you updating drivers automatically by using a dedicated tool like Tweakbit Driver Updater. It will keep you away from installing the wrong driver versions on your PC.

This tool is approved by Microsoft and Norton Antivirus. After several tests, our team concluded that this is the best-automatized solution. Here’s how to use this software:

Once installed, the program will start scanning your PC for outdated drivers automatically. Driver Updater will check your installed driver versions against its cloud database of the latest versions and recommend proper updates. All you need to do is wait for the scan to complete.

Upon scan completion, you get a report on all problem drivers found on your PC. Review the list and see if you want to update each driver individually or all at once (you can choose which one to update). To update one driver at a time, click the ‘Update driver’ link next to the driver name. Or simply click the ‘Update all’ button at the bottom to automatically install all recommended updates. This will update all your drivers to the latest versions available.Note: Some drivers need to be installed in multiple steps so you will have to hit the ‘Update’ button several times until all of its components are installed.

Disclaimer: some features of this tool are not free.

8. Boot in safe mode

Safe mode starts up your computer with limited files and drivers but Windows will still run. To know whether you’re on Safe mode, you’ll see the words at the corners of your screen.

If the issue of Shift key not working persists, check whether it occurs while your computer is in Safe mode.

Follow these steps to start your computer in Safe Mode:

Click on Start button

Select Settings – the Settings box will open up

Click Update & Security

Select Recovery from the left pane

Go to Advanced startup

Click Restart now

Select Troubleshoot from the blue choose an option screen, then click Advanced options

Go to Startup Settings and click Restart

Once your computer restarts, a list of options will come up.

Choose 4 or F4 to start your computer in Safe Mode

A quicker way to get into Safe Mode is to restart your computer then do the following:

From the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot>Advanced options>Startup Settings>Restart

Once your computer restarts, a list of options will come up.

Choose 4 or F4 to start your computer in Safe Mode

If the issue isn’t there while in Safe mode, then your default settings and basic drivers are not contributing to the issue.

9. Perform a Clean Boot

Performing a clean boot for your computer reduces conflicts related to software that can bring up the root causes of the Shift key not working. These conflicts can be caused by applications and services that start up and run in the background whenever you start Windows normally.

How to perform a clean boot

In order to successfully perform a clean boot on Windows 10, you have to be logged on as the administrator, then follow these steps:

Go to the search box

Type msconfig

Select System Configuration

Find Services tab

Select Hide all Microsoft services box

Click Disable all

Go to Startup tab

Click Open Task Manager

Close Task manager then click Ok

Reboot your computer

You will have a clean boot environment after all these steps are carefully followed, after which you can try and check if the Shift key not working problem is gone.

Did any of these solutions help you fix the Shift key not working issue? Let us know in the comments section below.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in November 2017 and has been since revamped and updated for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness. We want to be sure that our list has the best products that will fit your needs.